Boston College's COVID-19 cases have fallen to 6 positives—all undergraduates—after 5,062 tests conducted thus far this week, for a positivity rate of 0.12%. The Massachusetts state positivity average has risen to 1.0%. BC's COVID-19 cases continue to decrease from the spike that occurred the week of September 7.
Consistent with its strategy of utilizing asymptomatic surveillance testing to aggressively target close contacts of positive cases, the University increased its weekly testing capacity since September 14, focusing on individuals identified through contact tracing and areas on and off campus where positive cases were detected. Through today, more than 140 of the cumulative positive cases have been identified through the University’s contact tracing efforts.
Since testing began on August 16, the University has conducted 43,162 tests of BC community members, including 29,178 tests of undergraduates, with a total of 174 positive cases, including 171 undergrads. By comparison, Boston University has reported 126 total positive cases, Providence College 213, Northeastern University 94, and University of Notre Dame 763.
Currently, there are 44 BC undergraduates in isolation—16 in University isolation housing and 28 recovering at home. A total of 127 undergraduates have recovered and returned to normal activities.
“We remain pleased that the numbers continue to decline since the spike we experienced during the fourth week of testing, with this week’s numbers being especially promising” said Director of University Health Services Dr. Douglas Comeau. “We will continue to quickly identify and test individuals who are deemed to be close contacts of anyone testing positive, and follow our quarantine and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.”
In addition to daily symptomatic testing conducted through University Health Services and The Broad Institute, asymptomatic testing is performed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the semester in the MAC Courts in the Margot Connell Recreation Center. Testing results are posted upon receipt from The Broad Institute Tuesdays through Fridays on the Reopening BC website: bc.edu/reopen.
The weekly community test totals and community positivity rates since testing began are as follows:
• 7,681 tests Week of August 16-23. Positivity Rate 0.04%
• 10,127 tests Week of August 24-30. Positivity Rate 0.08%
• 4,322 tests Week of August 31-September 6. Positivity Rate 0.60%
• 2,972 tests Week of September 9-13. Positivity Rate 2.46%
• 4,639 tests Week of September 14-20. Positivity Rate 0.37%
• 8,359 tests Week of September 21-27. Positivity Rate 0.49%.
University Communications / October 1, 2020